Reusable Bag Closing, Content Dispensing, and Preservation Device

ABSTRACT

This application describes a new, reusable device for temporarily convening the single opening of a bag into a sealable dispenser, consisting of a closing apparatus that is held shut by a latching mechanism. 
     The closing apparatus has a nozzle that reduces the area through which the contents of the bag may be dispensed and provides an interface for a removable cap, which serves as a preservation measure for the contents of the bag. The nozzle also provides a barrier between the contents of the bag and the operator. 
     Previously, bags were resealed through an interlocking feature of the bag, clamping, or by thermally bonding bags of fusible materials. The new device does not require any interlocking features of a bag or any specific material properties. Further, the new device is designed for repeated use, fitting a wide array of bags, contents, and applications.

CROSS REFERENCE TO DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

This utility application cross-references provisional application 61/548,223.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to the field of consumer products and tooling, and more particularly to a reusable device for the closing (clamping) of the bag which also serves as a way of dispensing and preserving the contents of the bag.

2. Description of Prior Art

Products are delivered in four general methods to the consumer: in bags, in boxes, in plastic casing, or by download/electronic transfer. The first method, bagging, has a clear advantage in transporting sealable materials from a cost-effective standpoint. Boxes take up the same amount of space regardless of how much of the contents remains in the box. Plastic cases are specific to the contents; groups of which are often boxed for storage and transport. Bags provide a durable method to store and transport contents. As the contents of a bag are consumed, the volume that the bag fills decreases. The last method, downloading, cannot be used for physical contents.

Once the consumer gets the bag, he or she must open the bag in order to dispense and utilize the contents. Once the bag is opened, the bag must be closed in order to effectively retain and preserve the contents. Current bag closing methods come from three general sources:

Interlocking components of the bag. Modern bags, made popular by the Ziploc® Brand, involve an interlocking rib on the inside of the bag that when pressed together, forms a temporary seal.

Melting certain types of bags to form an air-tight seal. Certain commercially available heat-emitting devices utilize pressure and temperature above the phase-transition point of the bag's material to bond two surfaces of the bag together. Primarily, this alteration is performed on the end of the bag so it may be repeated more often. Other devices further assist by aiding in the evacuation of the air prior to sealing.

Clamping the bag shut to limit content transfer. Clamps are the reusable cost-effective solution for containing and retaining the contents within the bag. Unfortunately this may involve folding the bag multiple times prior to clamping and even then, some amount of air may pass through the seal and adversely affect the shelf-life of the contents of the bag. This method includes the use of twist-ties, magnets, elastic bands, and similar closing devices.

This invention focuses on the last source, clamping/closing, but provides an innovative method of dispensing and re-sealing the bag, for preservation and containing of the contents. Several patented US inventions closely pertain to the invention disclosed by this document, and will be discussed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,603[1], filed May 31, 1977, issued Nov. 27, 1979, and re-filed as U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,789 on Jan. 9, 1984 and re-issued on Apr. 23, 1985, discusses a “Grass bag clamp and spreader.” In this design “there is shown a filter bag housing of the type generally known in industry . . . Bags are closed at their bottom ends, and open at their top ends to permit flow of gas therethrough into compartment from compartment . . . bags may be periodically cleaned by mechanical shaking . . . The cover assembly includes an open-ended bell mouth pressure pulse receiver mounted on a cover plate. This assembly typically fits over the open filter bag end, and holds it in sealable contact against baffle plate. A sleeve is attached to the bottom of cover plate, and projects through the opening in baffle plate a short distance into the interior of the top opening of filter bag. The top end of filter bag is looped around an O-ring and a second O-ring which are respectively mounted above and below baffle plate.” The claims of U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,603 focuses primarily on its applications for lawn mowers, and does not provide a solution to prevent exposure of the contents to the outside environment. Though U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,603 discusses a method to interface a bag with an opening, it includes said interface as a permanent feature of the bag. Though this device allows for possible repeated use of the bag, it does not allow for the closing apparatus to be used on other bags.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,346[2], filed Mar. 28, 1966, issued Jun. 11, 1968, discusses a “Bag Clamp.” In this design “a bag formed of suitable flexible material is shown having the clamp of this invention sewn into the hem around the mouth of the bag so as to define and shape same, said bag being attachable to any tubular conduit such as by means of said clamp. The tube and bag may be attachable to a rotary mower . . . or may be coupled together for any other suitable purpose . . . This strap is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be repeatedly opened and closed and shaped to the approximate curvature of the tube when the clamp is closed . . . to be conveniently mounted and dismounted on the tube.” Like U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,603[1], U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,346[2] also combines the opening and closing device with the bag. Similarly to the invention however, U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,346[2] utilizes pivot pins to guide the motion of the closing apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,346[2], however, utilizes a flexible strap to keep the bag tight against a rigid opening, where the invention utilizes the geometry of its opening to tightly hold the bag as it is pulled through the closing apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,861,402[3], filed Apr. 24, 1931, and issued May 31, 1932, discusses a “Bag Clamp for Suction Cleaners.” In this design “an annular neck piece adapted to be attached to the outlet member of a suction cleaner to receive air . . . and attached to this neck piece is another tube like member, the purpose of which is to hold the open end of the neck of a dust bag in position to be clamped around it by the flexible band between which and the tube like member the neck of a dust bag be placed. A projecting flange member is also provided to form a seat or guide for the end of the dust bag and also to act as a support for the flexible band member and the clamping means, to accomplish which an annular wire band is mounted upon the periphery of the flange member and the adjacent ends of this wire band are turned up and are bent in loop form around the flexible band . . . The clamping member is provided with a projecting thumb piece or lever by which it may be partially rotated when it is desired to expand the flexible band to open the clamp.” Though the claims of U.S. Pat. No. 1,861,402 discuss method for locking a bag sleeve around a tube, it does not discuss a solution for fully closing the bag. U.S. Pat. No. 1,861,402 discusses a rotary action to expand the band which retains the bag, where the invention presents a rigid geometry which holds the bag open, and latching of a closing apparatus. Like the latch in the invention, U.S. Pat. No. 1,861,402 utilizes an “over-center” design, but it does not lock natively by the closing operation as with the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide a method to keep a bag closed, but allow operators to later dispense the contents of the bag through a geometric opening of the device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a method to isolate the contents from the environment during storage and provide a barrier between the contents and the operator during content dispensing. This isolation allows the invention to serve as a preservation device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a reusable device with respect to the aforementioned objects.

In view of the foregoing, the main object of this invention is to provide a technique for dispensing the contents of a bag; alternate to previous methods put into practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views of main embodiments of the invention less the cap.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the main body of the invention with the cap removed.

FIG. 4 provides a detailed view of the assembled latch mechanism less the cap.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view illustrating how a typical bag is interfaced with the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the utilization of the invention with the cap detached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views of main embodiments of the invention, which illustrates the device seen from the front and back in a isometric perspective. Note that the cap was hidden from this drawing to improve depiction of the other components. The invention consists of apparatus that uses two closing arms (1). The arms close around the bag and are held together by a latch (2), which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4. The nozzle (3) restricts the area through which the contents of the bag are dispensed.

The closing action is articulated by a common rotational joint (4) located at the end of each closing arm (1). The extended surface (5), behind the nozzle in FIG. 2, is inserted into the bag such that the portion of the bag surrounding the nozzle remains open for operation of the device.

In FIG. 1, the closing apparatus (1) is in the open position. Also, the latch (2) is depressed by the operator's thumb and is at an angle such that if closed, the latch (2) will not interfere the engaging tooth (13). The extended surface (5) may intercept a bag and the operator may pull the bag through the open apparatus (1) in order to utilize the main embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a isometric exploded view of the main body of the invention. Note that the cap was hidden from this drawing to improve depiction of the other components. The left sealing apparatus (6) joins to the right sealing apparatus (7) utilizing rotational pin (8). A second rotational pin (9) controls the rocking action of the latch (10) while a spring (11) pushes on the latch, keeping it in the locked position. FIG. 3 further implies the simplicity to assemble the device, only using a Philips-Head screw driver to affix rotational pin (8) and rotational pin (9). The detailed view of FIG. 3 demonstrates that the “uncompressed” length of the spring engages into a geometric feature of the sealing apparatus (7) as well as the a geometric feature of the latch (10). All together, six parts (left closing arm, right closing arm, main rotational pin, latch rotational pin, latch, and spring) form the main body.

FIG. 4 provides a detailed view of the assembled latch mechanism. Note that the cap was hidden from this drawing to improve depiction of the other components. The latch (12) consists of a rocker and an engaging tooth (13). When the apparatus closes, the latch is forced over the tooth by the contoured geometry (14). Once the latch (12) crosses the contoured geometry (14) and then the tooth (13), the spring (15) forces the latch (12) to remain locked over the tooth (13) such that the main sealing apparatus (16) remains closed. FIG. 4 also defines the intended storage configuration of the invention. Keeping the sealing apparatus (16) closed, when not in use, ensures no excessive external forces are applied to the kinematic joints of the assembled mechanism.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view illustrating how a typical bag is interfaced with the invention. The bag (17) is first pulled against the extended surfaces for insertion (18). The bag is then pulled through the open sealing apparatus (19), which closes and is latched (20) in place. Once closed, the cap (21) is twisted onto the threads (22) of the nozzle feature, to keep the contents of the bag (17) preserved.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of objective utilization of the invention which illustrates the device retaining the contents of a bag (23) and ready to dispense the contents. Note that the cap was removed from the nozzle to improve depiction of the other components. Before affixing the cap, the operator may expel a majority of the air from the inside of the bag. The invention is held shut by a latch (24), which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4. A portion (25) of the bag (23) is pulled through the sealing apparatus (26), which is closed and held shut by a latch (24).

While the patent invention shall now be described with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the intention is not to limit the invention only to the particular embodiments shown but rather to cover all alterations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements possible within the scope of appended claims.

No constraints are placed on the shape of the disclosed invention, with varying types and size of bags, as well as varying contents and weight.

Enhancements

An enhancement possible with this device is the ability to remove and replace the nozzle section of the closing apparatus with other funnel types. This would be more versatile depending on the contents of the bag that is being effected by this device. In this possible enhancement the funnel would be a screw-on feature.

The sealing surface of the closing apparatus may contain a raised geometric feature on the left, and a lowered geometric feature on the right (or vice versa), such that the left part of the sealing apparatus interfaces/interlocks with the right side. The simple approach could be raised bumps on the left and dimples on the right, but a more advanced surface could include interlocking geometries.

The latch mechanism in this invention is relatively simple, but for bags that are brimming with contents, the latch might yield during operation. Therefore, latch-over-latch design would ensure that pressure from bagging contents would not produce enough force to rock the latch back over the engaging tooth.

The cap in the invention operates by engaging threads or interference. Additionally, the cap on the nozzle may engage through adhesives, velcro, fastening hardware, expansion/contraction by temperature change, or other common methods of capping.

Benefits of the Invention

This invention benefits consumers by allowing them to effectively preserve their bagged items (example: food, concrete, seeds) that come in non-resealable bags. Because the contents are preserved by the invention, consumers will waste less content through accidental over-dispensing and increase the shelf-life of perishable contents. The invention will also benefit consumers by controlling the amount of contents that is distributed from the bag at one time, as well as restricting the pattern of content flow. Because the invention is reusable, the consumer experiences a one-time fixed cost for the life of the product.

Other Embodiments

From the foregoing description, it will thus be evident that the present invention provides a design for closing, directing the dispensing of the contents, and preserving of the contents through use of a reusable physical closing mechanism. As various changes can be made in the above embodiments and operating methods without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Variations or modifications to the design and construction of this invention, within the scope of the appended claims, may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the disclosure herein (especially to those using computer aided design systems). Such variations or modifications, if within the spirit of this invention, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of any claims to patent protection issuing upon this invention.

While particular embodiments have been disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims cover any such modifications that incorporate those features which constitute the essential features of the present invention.

REFERENCES

-   [1] Albert Iaboni et al. “Grass bag clamp and spreader”. U.S. Pat.     No. 4,175,603 (US). November 1979. URL:     http://www.patentlens.net/patentlens/patent/US_(—)4175603/. -   [2]0 Kenneth N. Hasenbank et al. “Bag Clamp”. U.S. Pat. No.     3,387,346 (US). June 1968. URL: http:     //www.patentlens.net/patentlens/patent/US_(—)3387346/. -   [3] Lewis C. Van Riper. “Bag Clamp for Suction Cleaners”. U.S. Pat.     No. 1,861,402 (US). May 1932. URL:     http://www.patentlens.net/patentlens/patent/US_(—)1861402/. 

The embodiments of the invention in which the inventors claim an exclusive property or privilege are defined as follows:
 1. A new device for holding shut the open end of a bag, while providing a controlled closable pathway for dispensing the contents: two solid surfaces, joined at a pivot, having a common geometric planar surface of contact (the sealing apparatus), as well as a means to hold the sealing apparatus in the fully closed position until acted upon by an operator; a geometric feature on the two solid planar surfaces that provides a pathway for the contents of the bag to be introduced to the outside environment if the cap closing the pathway is removed; a geometric feature on the two solid planar surfaces which adds interlocking geometries with respect to the planar surface of contact; a feature to close the opening provided by the invention such as a cap or lid; and a feature that provides the operator the ability to remove the device from the bag it is effecting at the end opposite the pivot joint of the main contacting body.
 2. The geometric feature on the two planar surfaces, of the claim 1, wherein said pathway for the contents of the bag may be any type of funnel, tube, hose, nozzle, pipe, box, trough, conveyor, or slide type of geometry that can sufficiently assist gravity or vibration in dispensing the contents from the bag utilizing the device.
 3. The pathway of the contents, of the claim 2, wherein said dispensing is conducted in a method such that the operator is not exposed to the contents and the pathway is restrictive such that the operator may decide the amount of interaction of the contents with the operator or the environment by adding an attachment to the nozzle feature.
 4. The geometric feature on the two planar surfaces, of the claim 1, wherein said interlocking geometry may consist of a raised bump and lowered dimple, a raised rib and lowered channel, a raised cross-hatch and lowered cross-hatch (linear or diamond in pattern), an aligning feature with the bag, a feature of the device that creates holes in the bag, an elastic system that adds interference or tension, or rough frictional surface of any grit (or metric of roughness).
 5. The feature to remove the device, of the claim 1, wherein said removal feature may be any type of latch, interlocking geometry, over-center design, spring (torsional or compression), magnet, or adhesive material that can sufficiently produce enough force to keep the device closed during operation.
 6. A device that uses compressive force to seal a bag and is held closed and can also be removed by a feature of the claim 5, wherein said feature is opposing or adjacent to the main pivoting feature.
 7. The pivot joint, of the claim 1, wherein said pivot joint may consist of a screw, pin, ring, nut and bolt, cotter pin, interlocking rotational geometry, engaged thread, limited slider, bearing, gear, spur, shoulder, or clasp that can provide enough degrees of freedom to allow the main body of the device to open enough to feed a bag through and close sufficiently to seal a standard bag.
 8. The feature to close the opening, of the claim 1, wherein said closing structure may be any type of screw cap, lid, sliding face, bold-on surface, cover, zipper, pocket, sleeve, plug, case, seal, wrapping (including adhesive), or iris-like closing feature. 